METHYLHYDRAZINE

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
3 4 2	Health	4	Can be lethal.
	Flammability	3	Can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
	Instability	2	Readily undergoes violent chemical changes at elevated temperatures and pressures.
	Special

A colorless liquid with an ammonia-like odor. Flash point below 75°F. Spontaneous ignition may occur in contact with oxidizing materials. Very toxic by inhalation and by skin absorption. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen during combustion.

Rate of onset: Immediate

Persistence: Hours - days

Odor threshold: 1-10 ppm

Source/use/other hazard: Solvent, rocket fuel; flammable; irritating to skin/eyes.

• Strong Reducing Agent
• Pyrophoric

Highly flammable. Often ignites spontaneously. Exposure to air on a large surface may result in spontaneous ignition [Def. Res. and Eng. 27. 1963]. Water soluble. Solutions are highly alkaline and generate heat when water is added.

Extremely flammable; ignites spontaneously under almost all normal temperature conditions. Water used to extinguish a fire may cause pollution and should be diked for later disposal. Water may be ineffective in extinguishing fires due to the chemical's low flash point. Because of the wide flammability limits, low flash point, and reignition hazard, dry chemicals, carbon dioxide, water spray, and foam may not be as effective as water dilution of fire area. The vapor is heavier than air; thus it may accumulate sufficiently to flash back. Methylhydrazine fires produce irritating nitrogen oxides. Ignites spontaneously in air when in contact with porous materials (e.g., earth, asbestos, wood, or cloth). Also ignites spontaneously on contact with strong oxidizing agents (e.g., fluorine, chlorine trifluoride, fuming nitric acid, and nitrogen tetroxide). Heat or flame should be avoided because chemical is extremely flammable and explosive. (EPA, 1998)

Methyl hydrazine vapors are extremely toxic and the liquid is corrosive to skin. Methyl hydrazine is the strongest convulsant and the most toxic of methyl-substituted hydrazine derivatives. It is more toxic than hydrazine. At high doses, it is a strong central nervous system poison that can lead to convulsions and death. Skin rash may be aggravated by skin exposure. (EPA, 1998)

METHYLHYDRAZINE is a powerful reducing agent. Ignites upon contact with oxidizing agents i.e. dinitrogen tetraoxide, hydrogen peroxide [Hawley]. Water used to extinguish a fire may cause pollution and should be diked for later disposal. Gives basic solutions with water that generate heat when water is added.

• Azo, Diazo, Azido, Hydrazine, and Azide Compounds
• Bases, Weak

No information available.

Excerpt from 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.

SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1244 datasheet.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)

Wear positive pressure breathing apparatus and special (full) protective clothing. No skin surface should be exposed. Isolate area for 1/2-mile in all directions if a tank car or truck is involved in a fire.

For small fires, use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, and foam. For large fires, use water spray, fog, or foam. Keep unnecessary people away and isolate the hazardous area. Stay upwind and keep out of low-lying areas.

Fire exposed containers should be kept cool with water. Use water spray to disperse vapors and protect men attempting to stop a leak which has not ignited. Move container from fire area if it can be done without risk. (EPA, 1998)

Excerpt from 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors.

SMALL SPILL: Absorb with earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers for later disposal. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Methyl hydrazine:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.

Provide:
• EYEWASH - Eyewash fountains should be provided in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substances; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection.
• QUICK DRENCH - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2023)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Methyl hydrazine	60-34-4	Liquid					183*/283	183*/283	>480	>480	>480

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(DuPont, 2023)

Warning: Symptoms may be delayed from hours to days. Caution is advised.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Methyl Hydrazine Exposure: Symptoms of acute exposure to methyl hydrazine may include facial numbness, facial swelling, and increased salivation. Headache, twitching, seizure, convulsions, and coma may also occur. Gastrointestinal signs and symptoms include anorexia, nausea, and vomiting. Pulmonary edema and hypotension (low blood pressure) are common. Methyl hydrazine is toxic to the liver, ruptures red blood cells, and may cause kidney damage. Contact with the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes may result in severe irritation and permanent damage.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to methyl hydrazine may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to methyl hydrazine.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. RUSH to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to methyl hydrazine.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas THOROUGHLY with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. RUSH to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
3. Give the victims water or milk: children up to 1 year old, 125 mL (4 oz or 1/2 cup); children 1 to 12 years old, 200 mL (6 oz or 3/4 cup); adults, 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup). Water or milk should be given only if victims are conscious and alert.
4. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.
5. Promote excretion by administering a saline cathartic or sorbitol to conscious and alert victims. Children require 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) of cathartic; 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) is recommended for adults.
6. RUSH to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

• HYDRAZINE, METHYL-
• HYDRAZOMETHANE
• METHYL HYDRAZINE
• METHYLHYDRAZINE
• 1-METHYLHYDRAZINE
• MMH
• MONOMETHYLHYDRAZINE